Free Level 2 Painting and Decorating Course in Widnes. Classes run at Riverside College Kingsway Campus, full-time during the day, over one year. You'll cover health and safety in construction, preparing and painting surfaces, hanging wallpaper, and producing specialist decorative finishes. The course also includes working at height and colour theory. Entry requirements are based on your GCSE results and an interview, which will confirm the right level for you. This is a strong foundation for anyone looking to start a career as a painter and decorator.
Who this course is for
Aimed at School Leavers. The course will cover the following topics: Health, safety and welfare in construction, Principles of building construction, information and communication, Erecting and dismantling access equipment and working platforms, Preparing surfaces for decoration, Applying paint systems by brush and roller to complex areas, Applying standard papers to walls and ceilings, Producing specialist finishes for decorative work, Creating and applying colour. The practical work you will undertake will prepare you for real life situations. You will complete out of college projects designed to support the community and allow you to gain valuable experience on site.
Entry requirements
Specific course entry criteria alongside your GCSE results will determine the level you start at. Specific grades are required in certain subjects. Find out about the individual entry requirements and level in the course information on the college website or at your interview.
What you will learn
You'll apply health, safety, and welfare practices used in construction work.
You'll learn the principles of building construction and how to read and communicate site information.
You'll erect and dismantle access equipment and working platforms safely.
You'll prepare a range of surfaces ready for decoration.
You'll apply paint systems by brush and roller to complex areas.
You'll hang standard wallpapers on walls and ceilings.
You'll produce specialist finishes for decorative work.
You'll create and apply colour schemes for decorative projects.
How you will learn
You'll learn through classroom teaching and hands-on practical sessions at Riverside College Kingsway Campus. Assessment covers both the practical skills you develop and your understanding of underpinning knowledge. You'll be assessed on tasks such as surface preparation, paint application, and wallpaper hanging, alongside written or verbal knowledge checks throughout the course.
What you will need to bring
The centre will provide most materials. Riverside College Kingsway Campus will confirm anything else you need before you start.
Where next
Jobs you could do
Painter and decorator: working on residential and commercial sites
Decorating operative: entry-level site work with a contractor
Maintenance painter: keeping buildings in good condition for landlords or councils
Self-employed decorator: taking on your own domestic decorating jobs
Shopfitter decorator: decorating retail and commercial interiors
What you could study next
NVQ Level 3 Diploma in Painting and Decorating: the next step if you want to take on more complex work and qualify for a CSCS skilled-worker card.
Level 3 Award in Education and Training: if you'd like to teach painting and decorating skills to others in the future.
Apprenticeship in Painting and Decorating: combine on-site work with further structured training and earn while you learn.
